Words from Elder Garrett Anderson in Brazil

"This week was a crazy one. We have been spending our time preparing to move, which was supposed to happen on Friday, then got changed to Saturday, then was changed to today, and now is scheduled for tomorrow. As of now, we are living out of boxes with everything packed up and ready for the move. Although i am not trunky, it seems abnormal to think that only 6 months left until i head home. It's got me a little worried because all i know is the mission life, but everything will work out for the best.

This week we had stake conference and it has been a success. The theme for the conference was Mosiah 28:3, "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soulshould perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble. " There were various talk on the importance of member missionary work, which has been hit hard while i have been out here in the field. During the priesthood session of the conference, the stake president passed out some papers and had the wards sit together and brainstorm about how we could improve with 1. people progressing from baptism to endowments to sealed in the temple. 2. Member missionaries and 3. Helping those who are at mission age or close to get prepared for the mission. My companion and i were super happy because we had been needing this, a time to be able to work with the ward and plan together how we can ALL work together on the Lord's work. Clearly there are differences between member missionary work and "missionary" work, but when it comes down to it, we are all laborers doing the Lord's work. We have been blessed enough to be here during this time and be born into the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I love the quote by President David O. Mckay, "The purpose of the gospel is … to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature." I know that the gospel is true and that as we apply its' teachings in our lives, we will be purified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Love you all! have a great week."